About UNSC

• The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) was established in 1946 as one of the six principal organs of the UN. It is generally viewed as the apex of the UN system. 
• It is responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security. 
• Its powers include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of international sanctions, and the authorization of military action through Security Council resolutions.
• It is the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions to member states.

Membership

• UNSC consists of 15 Members.
• The council has five permanent members (P-5) United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom and France. 
• These permanent members can veto any substantive Security Council resolutions, including those on the admission of new member states.
• The Security Council also has 10 non-permanent members, elected on a regional basis as follows: 
  • five for African and Asian States; 
  • one for Eastern European States; 
  • two for the Latin American and Caribbean States; and 
  • two for Western European and other States.
• Each year the 193-member UN General Assembly (UNGA) elects five non-permanent members for a two-year term. 
• The body’s presidency rotates monthly among its members. 

Vote and Majority Required

• Each member of the Security Council shall have one vote.
• Decisions of the Security Council on procedural matters shall be made by an affirmative vote of nine members.
• Decisions of the Security Council on all other matters shall be made by an affirmative vote of nine members including the concurring votes of the permanent members.
• However, any member, whether permanent or nonpermanent, must abstain from voting in any decision concerning the peaceful settlement of a dispute to which it is a party.

Why in News?

• India voted against a draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council linking climate to security, saying it was an attempt to shift climate talks from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to the Security Council and a “step backward” for collective action on the issue.
• The resolution was sponsored by Ireland and Niger, and it did not pass, with 12 UNSC members voting for it, India and Russia voting against it and China abstaining.
• India joined the UNSC in January 2021 for a two year term as one of the 10 rotating non permanent members.

Reference:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/india-votes-against-un-draft-resolution-on-climate-change/article37950604.ece